CHARACTERISTICS OF WOOD

As one of nature's most beautiful renewable resources, Solid hardwood products, like other natural products, are shaped by natural forces ,wood has certain characteristics that occur naturally as well as over time in a normal household environment. In the wood selected, these natural features possess intrinsic degrees of varying grain character, small mineral streaks, and slight color variations. Each wood species has unique features such as density, colors and grain patterns. Color variation is influenced by moisture, exposure to sunlight and mineral content of the soil. Grain patterns are affected by changes in climate, growth rate, damage, as well as soil conditions. Different saw cuts also help determine the grain pattern and color. All woods change color over time and the change varies depending on species, exposure to natural light and the amount and color of finish applied, among other things. All of these variations contribute to the uniqueness of the beauty and essence of natural wood. These inherent characteristics are considered acceptable and desirable attributes in quality wood products.

Our product constructed of solid wood, beautiful veneers, and plywood products. The natural woods and veneers are presented in 6 different species and multiple finish colors to suit your personal tastes. To further accentuate the natural beauty of these woods, glazing accents and other special finish are offered.

Wood selections can be critical to the look and feel,  Each type of hardwood has its own unique personality. There are enough differences in color, grain and texture that you’re sure to find one wood, or several, to match your personal taste and decorating preferences for your cabinetry.
As with other natural materials, wood cabinetry will gradually darken or mellow in response to aging, light and UV exposure. Most likely, you’ll never notice this subtle aging process unless, in a few years time, you compare your cabinets to brand new ones.

Here are some of the terms commonly used to distinguish between the unique characteristics you’ll find in different woods. nderstanding these unique variations will give you greater appreciation for the natural beauty of wood cabinetry .Please take a moment to discover the natural traits that are most common in your favorite wood species.

Softwoods vs. Hardwoods

These two botanical classifications are confusing, because there is no direct correlation between the classification and the hardness or softness of the wood.

1. Hardwoods have broad leaves
2. Softwoods have needle–like or scale–like leaves

Moisture Effects

Affects of Moisture in Wood

1. Any solid wood product will expand over time as moisture and climate conditions change
2. Effects of moisture may include:
1. Panel expansion
2. Joint expansion or opening (especially on miter doors)
3. Stile bowing
4. Panel contraction (may result in ?white line? if finished)
5. Stile/rail expansion

Southern or Humid Climates

1. Southern or humid climates are especially susceptible to expansion due to moisture
2. Locations include:
1. Waterfront properties
2. Coastal regions
3. Gulf coast, especially Florida
3. Marine applications, such as boats and yachts, are considered high humidity regardless of any climate control systems
4. Non-air conditioned homes, regardless of location, are very susceptible to expansion due to moisture
5. Winter and vacation homes should maintain some form of climate control, even in off-season 
6. If expansion in doors occurs prior to installation on cabinet box, air conditioning will usually return doors to normal

Potential Wood Movement Chart

This chart indicates how much a 12" wide panel can change in size depending on moisture.

Drying Effects

Air Check

1. Occurs early in drying process if too much moisture is removed from the outer portion of the lumber before the inner portion has lost moisture and shrunk
2. Shown in Red Oak with air check or surface check

Honey Comb

Honey Comb

1. Not natural, but common
2. Occurs when kiln temperatures are raised before the lumber core moisture has been lowered sufficiently
3. Example shows end grain and lumber ripped in half to expose the severe interior honeycomb

Shake

Shake

1. Also called ring shake or wind shake
2. Caused by bacteria weakening the area between growth rings
3. Bacteria may have a vinegar or rancid smell prior to drying
4. Shown in Red Oak
5. Flatsawn portion shows typical shake
6. End grain portion shows ring failure

Splitting or Cracking

Splitting

1. May occur in any species
2. May be minimized by proper end coating of logs or lumber before drying
3. Shown in Red Oak

Natural color

Color is Influenced By

1. Soil types
2. Minerals
3. Water levels
4. Available sunlight
5. Temperature
6. Genetic composition

Although we’re used to seeing it stained or painted, wood in its natural state appears as shades of white, green, red and black. The natural color of unfinished wood is an important factor in determining its finished color. Light base and transparent stains allow these color variations to show through, while darker stains will be affected by the natural color of the wood.
Due to variations in grain, texture and natural color, a stained finish may vary slightly from one area to another. Certain special finishes—distressed, highlighted, glazed, frosted and chalked—may vary in the amount of highlighting due to these same natural properties.
The type of lighting and the angle of light wood can also appear to change the color of the finish. Depending on the species, cut and type of finish, all wood also darkens to some degree as it ages. Conditions in the home or office environment—ultraviolet light, cleaning chemicals, smoke, etc.—can also affect color, making it difficult to exactly duplicate an existing finish when adding or replacing cabinets.

Grain

More than anything, grain gives wood its artistry. Depending on how it grows, a tree can produce wood with straight grain, spiral grain, interlocking grain or even wavy or curly grain. Each type of grain causes light to play off of it differently, affecting your perception of the color from one area to another.
Grain is also used to describe how the wood is cut or worked. Sawing and planning can be done “against the grain,” “with the grain” or “across the grain” —with each method having a different effect on how the wood accepts stain.
Another important consideration is matching the appropriate finish to the grain. For example, a rich grain pattern may be obscured by an opaque finish. For that reason, Holiday uses highly transparent stains that enhance the natural beauty of grain patterns.

Variations in Grain are Caused By

1. Tree size
2. Growth rate
3. Climate changes
4. Site conditions
5. Genetics
6. Bird damage
7. Insect damage
8. Fire Damage

Effects of Growth Ring

1. Growth rings are distinctive due to the light and dark colors
2. Lighter portion is usually grown in the spring, called “springwood”
3. Darker portion is usually grown in the summer, called “summerwood”

Wide Growth Ring Narrow Growth Ring

Burl Grain

1. Also known as curly grain, burly grain, fiddleback, or figure wood

1. Causes include knot location, damage to cambium layer of bark, and tree genetics
2. Common in most species

Hard MapleRed OakSoft Maple

Tiger Stripe and Cross Fire

1. Unique pattern common in Red and White Oak
2. Also in Hard and Soft Maple
3. Most often found along with burl grain

Hard MapleSoft Maple

Bird’s Eye

1. Small area where fibers form circular figures on the surface
2. Common in Hard Maple
3. Rare in other species

Bird’s Eye Hard Maple

Knots

1. Closed Knot. Flat face with no openings in the surface.
2. Open Knot. May occur as a very small pin-sized hole to a large gaping hole.
3. Unsound Knot. A portion of the wood will move readily. Also known as a loose knot.
4. Sound Knot. Also known as a tight knot. Solid, with no portion moveable. As hard as surrounding wood with no signs of decay.
5. Pin Knot. Small, sound, and tight.
6. Knot Cluster. A grouping of usually small knots.

Closed Knot Open Knot Unsound Knot Sound Knot Pin Knot Knot Cluster

Bird Peck

1. Woodpecker produces a small hole, which is a starting point for brown to blackish mineral streak
2. Most common in Hickory and Cherry

Bird Peck in Hickory

Cat’s Paw

1. Cluster of pin knots in the shape of a cat’s paw
2. Most common in Cherry

Cat’s Paw in Cherry

Pitch Pocket

1. Insects cause injury to the bark, leading to formation of gum spots in the wood
2. Common in Cherry

Pitch Pocket in Cherry

Worm Track

1. Also called pith fleck
2. Small, narrow, yellowish to brownish streaks 1/32” to 1/16” wide and
3. 1/8" to 2" long
4. Caused by insects, whose burrows are filled in by new cell growth

Worm Track

Worm Hole

1. Caused by worms
2. Tunnel size ranges from 1/64” to 3/16”
3. Wood moisture content must be above 30% for oak timberworms to continue activity

Worm Hole in Red Oak

Incipient Rot

1. Also known as decay, is the decomposition of wood by fungi. Incipient rot is rot in the early stages
2. Slight discoloration or bleaching of wood
3. Wood moisture content must be above 30% for rot-causing fungi to grow

Incipient Rot in Red Oak

Ray Flecking

1. Stripes of cells that extend radially
2. Rays store food and transport it horizontally
3. Most common in Red Oak and White Oak
4. Visible in hardwood species that are quartersawn and have rays
5. Examples show ray flecking with variations in ray width

Narrow Rays in Red Oak Wide Rays in Red Oak

Sapwood and Sap Lines

1. Contains living cells and performs an active role in the tree’s life processes
2. Located next to cambium
3. Functions in sap conduction and storage of food

Ranges from 1 ½” to 2” thick, thicker in maples, hickories, ashes, some southern yellow pine and ponderosa   pine, especially in second growth trees

Bark

1. Outer portion of bark is the non-living portion which protects the inner living portion

Bark on outer edge

Bark Pocket

1. Bark-filled hole on the board surface

Bark Pocket

Mineral streaks

A dark brown to black area in the wood where the tree absorbed nutrients. Since the number of mineral streaks varies from board to board, you may notice differences between cabinets, doors, drawers or even on the same panel. These streaks are especially evident in light wood such as maple and in lighter stains or natural finishes when no stain is applied.

Mineral Streak

1. Darkened or discolored wood area
2. Blackish-blue, well-defined streak running parallel with grain
3. Caused by minerals which the tree extracts from the soil
4. May also be called mineral stain
5. Common in Maple and Birch, occasionally in Oak and Cherry